Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, induced anxiety, and quality of life

Motor Vehicle Driving-Related Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy With Defibrillators

BACKGROUND

Reducing anxiety about motor vehicle driving in patients receiving implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillators is important not only for improving quality of life but also for preventing vehicle collisions owing to driver distraction. This study aimed to clarify the driving-related anxiety of patients with these defibrillators and the factors that predict such anxiety.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire of patients who had been driving a vehicle after device implantation at a general hospital between August 2018 and November 2019.

RESULTS

The mean age was 60.8 ± 12.6 years. The reasons for implantation were primary prevention in 47 patients and secondary prevention in 30 patients. A total of 16 patients experienced anxiety about driving and 61 did not. Significantly more younger patients (mean age of 50.4 vs. 63.6 years, p < 0.001) and those with implantable cardioverter defibrillators had anxiety (100% vs. 73.8%, p = 0.02). Multivariable analysis indicated that age was the only independent factor that predicted driving-related anxiety (odds ratio, 0.937; 95% confidence interval, 0.883-0.993).

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying and addressing driving-related anxiety in patients (particularly young patients) with defibrillators is important in preventing motor vehicle collisions and improving quality of life.

Changes in quality of life, depression, general anxiety, and heart-focused anxiety after defibrillator implantation

Aims

The Anxiety‐CHF (Anxiety in patients with Chronic Heart Failure) study investigated heart‐focused anxiety (HFA, with the dimensions fear, attention, and avoidance of physical activity), general anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with heart failure. Psychological measures were assessed before and up to 2 years after the implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) with or without cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT‐D).

Methods and results

One hundred thirty‐two patients were enrolled in this monocentric prospective study (44/88 CRT‐D/ICD, mean age 61 ± 14 years, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 31 ± 9%, and 29% women). Psychological assessment was performed before device implantation as well as after 5, 12, and 24 months. After device implantation, mean total HFA, HFA‐fear, HFA‐attention, general anxiety, and QoL improved significantly. Depression and HFA‐related avoidance of physical activity did not change. CRT‐D patients compared with ICD recipients and women compared with men reported worse QoL at baseline. Younger patients (<median of 63 years) had higher levels of general anxiety and lower levels of HFA‐avoidance at baseline than older patients. After 24 months, groups no longer differed from each other on these scores. Patients with a history of shock or anti‐tachycardia pacing (shock/ATP; N = 19) reported no improvements in psychological measures and had significantly higher total HFA and HFA‐avoidance levels after 2 years than participants without shock/ATP.

Conclusions

Anxiety and QoL improved after device implantation, and depression and HFA‐avoidance remained unchanged. HFA may be more pronounced after shock/ATP. Psychological counselling in these patients to reduce HFA and increase physical activity should be considered.

Remote monitoring of implantable cardioverters defibrillators: a comparison of acceptance between octogenarians and younger patients

Background

Remote monitoring (RM) is increasingly employed for all types of cardiac implantable devices (CIED). However, there are only limited data on the acceptance of RM by the elderly. The aim of our study was to ascertain how octogenarians assess RM technologies compared to younger, presumably technically more literate patients, and what concerns or technical problems the system presents to both groups of patients.

Methods

The trial was designed as a descriptive, register-based single-center study. The study population consisted of all consecutive patients ≥ 80 years of age (group A, n = 94) and all consecutive patients aged ≤ 40 years (group B, n = 71), who had undergone implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) between the years of 2009 and 2018 and were using a Home Monitoring^TM (HM, Biotronik, Berlin, Germany) system. All patients fulfilling entry criteria were approached with a request to participate in the survey.

Results

A total of 85 (90.4%) and 65 (91.5%) valid surveys were obtained for groups A and B, respectively. Ninety-two percent of patients in both groups (P = 0.903) were satisfied with the limited number of planned ambulatory follow-ups (i.e., once a year). All patients in both groups (100%) reported that they were satisfied with the HM system, and 97% and 94% of patients in Groups A and B, respectively, ranked it highly beneficial (P = 0.68). A significant proportion of patients in both groups were completely unaware of any health-related benefits associated with the use of the HM system (42% in Group A vs. 49% in Group B, P = 0.4). Among the most frequently reported personal benefits of HM were a sense of safety and security and savings on travel expenses and time. 5% and 9% of patients in Groups A and B, respectively, reported that usage of HM caused them some degree of psychological stress (P = 0.27). Nearly all patients in both groups reported receiving information on HM from their doctor after ICD implantation. None of Group A reported receiving information from a nurse either before or after ICD implantation, while 14% of Group B patients reported receiving information from a nurse after, but not before ICD implantation. Seven and 51% (P < 0.0001) of patients in Group A and B, respectively, sought additional information about HM post-discharge.

Conclusions

The HM system received good marks and was much appreciated, even in patients over 80 years of age. The level of acceptance and potential psychological stress resulting from RM technology appears to be about the same in older patients as in younger patients. The majority of octogenarians either did not fully understand the clinical benefits of the system or mistakenly thought that the HM system was a substitute for emergency 24-h surveillance. These results highlight the need for better patient education relative to RM technology, with one option being to delegate more of this educational process to specially trained nurses.

Quality of life and psychological co-morbidities in children and adolescents with cardiac pacemakers and implanted defibrillators: a cohort study in Eastern Germany

INTRODUCTION

The implantation of a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator during childhood may reduce quality of life and lead to mental health problems. This study aimed to evaluate potential mental health problems (i.e., depressive and anxiety symptoms) and quality of life in children with cardiac active devices in comparison to healthy peers.

METHODS

We analysed data of children with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators aged 6-18 years. Quality of life, depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed by standardised questionnaires. The results were compared to age-matched reference groups.

RESULTS

Children with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator showed significant lower quality of life in comparison to reference group (p = 0.03), but there was no difference in quality of life between children with pacemaker and reference group. There was no significant difference in depressive symptoms between children with a cardiac rhythm device compared to reference group (self-report: p = 0.67; proxy report: p = 0.49). There was no significant difference in anxiety (p = 0.53) and depressive symptoms (p = 0.86) between children with pacemaker and children with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

CONCLUSIONS

Living with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in childhood seems to decrease the patients' quality of life. Although children with pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator don't seem to show more depressive and anxiety symptoms in comparison to their healthy peers, there still can be an increased risk for those children to develop mental health problems. Therefore, treating physicians should be aware of potential mental health problems and provide the patients and their families with appropriate therapeutic offers.

The Increment of Short-term Variability of Repolarisation Determines the Severity of the Imminent Arrhythmic Outcome

Ventricular remodelling can make the heart more susceptible to ventricular arrhythmias like torsades de pointes. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of initiation of ventricular arrhythmias and the determining factors for its severity has the potential to uncover new interventions. Beat-to-beat variation of repolarisation, quantified as short-term variability of repolarisation (STV), has been identified as an important factor contributing to arrhythmogenesis. This article provides an overview of experimental data about STV in relation to the initiation of torsades de pointes in a canine model of complete chronic atrioventricular block susceptible to torsades de pointes arrhythmias. Furthermore, it explores STV in relation to the severity of the arrhythmic outcome.

Cognitive performance in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: Associations with objective sleep duration, age and anxiety

Sleep disturbance and anxiety are highly prevalent in patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs). There is limited research, however, on the associations between cognitive performance and sleep parameters, age and anxiety. Forty-one patients with ICDs and self-reported sleep disturbance completed 14 days of actigraphy (Mage  = 60.3, SD = 12.3) measuring total sleep time (TST), and a computerized cognitive test battery measuring processing speed and attention (i.e. simple reaction time and symbol digit modality task [SDMT]) and executive function (i.e. flanker task, letter series task and N-back task). Multiple regressions determined whether independent effects of TST, age and anxiety, as well as interactive effects of TST and age, predicted cognitive performance. TST predicted performance on two tasks of executive function (i.e. letter series and N-back task), as well as an attentional vigilance and processing speed task (i.e. SDMT), and this did not depend on patient age. On letter series, N-back and SDMT, longer TST predicted better performance. Increasing age was a predictor of worse performance on SDMT and flanker tasks. No other predictors were associated with task performance. Results show that sleep duration, not anxiety, may be an important predictor of higher-order cognitive functioning and lower-order tasks measuring processing speed and attention in ICD patients, with longer sleep duration showing greater benefit for performance.

The effects of gender on electrical therapies for the heart: procedural considerations, results and complications: A report from the XII Congress of the Italian Association on Arrhythmology and Cardiostimulation (AIAC)

Use of cardiac implantable devices and catheter ablation is steadily increasing in Western countries following the positive results of clinical trials. Despite the advances in scientific knowledge, tools development, and techniques improvement we still have some grey area in the field of electrical therapies for the heart. In particular, several reports highlighted differences both in medical behaviour and procedural outcomes between female and male candidates. Women are referred later for catheter ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation, leading to suboptimal results. On the opposite females present greater response to cardiac resynchronization, while the benefit of implantable defibrillator in primary prevention seems to be less pronounced. Differences on aetiology, clinical profile, and development of myocardial scarring are the more plausible causes. This review will discuss all these aspects together with gender-related differences in terms of acute/late complications. We will also provide useful hints on plausible mechanisms and practical procedural aspects.

Ranolazine therapy in drug-refractory ventricular arrhythmias

AIMS

Ranolazine is an antiischemic and antianginal agent, but experimental and preclinical data provided evidence of additional antiarrhythmic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ranolazine in reducing episodes of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with recurrent antiarrhythmic drug-refractory ventricular arrhythmias or with chronic angina.

METHODS

Seventeen implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients, who had experienced a worsening of their ventricular arrhythmia burden, and 12 ICD recipients with angina were enrolled. Patients were followed up for 6 months after the addition of ranolazine (postranolazine). Data were compared with before its administration (preranolazine).

RESULTS

In the Arrhythmias group, a significant reduction was found in the median number of ventricular tachycardia episodes per patient (4 vs. 0, P = 0.01), and in ICD interventions in terms of both antitachycardia pacing (2 vs. 0, P = 0.04) and shock delivery (2 vs. 0, P = 0.02) after the addition of ranolazine. Moreover, fewer patients experienced episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (71 vs. 41%, P = 0.04), ventricular tachycardia (76 vs. 24%, P = 0.01), ICD antitachycardia pacing (47 vs. 18%, P = 0.02), and ICD shocks (47 vs. 6%, P = 0.03). In the Angina group, none of the patients developed major ventricular arrhythmias while on ranolazine treatment. No adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

In this small study, ranolazine proved to be effective, well tolerated, and safe in reducing ventricular arrhythmia episodes and ICD interventions in patients with recurrent antiarrhythmic drug-refractory events. In addition, none of the patients with chronic angina developed major ventricular arrhythmias.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Therapy and the Need for Concomitant Antiarrhythmic Drugs

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are increasingly used for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (VAs); however, there is a potential for severe and debilitating anxiety caused by symptoms associated with ICD therapy and anticipation of shocks. Anxiety is a psycho-logic stressor, including physiologic components that may lead to adrenergic excitation triggering new arrhythmias and ICD therapies. This often requires concomitant antiarrhythmic medication to reduce the frequency of shocks and symptomatic arrhythmias treated by anti-tachycardia pacing. Although published studies have documented the efficacy of currently available antiarrhythmics, they have limitations in patients with heart failure, may affect the defibrillation threshold, and/or have been associated with major side-effects. In conclusion, for the patient with an ICD experiencing symptomatic ventricular tachycardia (VTs) episodes or ICD shocks, there is a need for pharmacologic therapy to reduce the incidence of such events without affecting the performance of the ICD or causing major side-effects.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy in young individuals: comparison of conventional and subcostal approaches-a single-centre experience

AIM

The aim of our study is to compare two approaches of implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implantation, conventional (supra/subpectoral) and subcostal in young adults in terms of procedural complications and adverse events encountered during follow-up.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From January 2007 to December 2013, all patients under the age of 50 years who received an ICD in our centre were included in this study. Patient's hospital records were analysed for procedural complications and adverse events during follow-up until December 2014. Data from device on first interrogation after implantation and on follow-up were also noted. A total of 106 patients of which 40.6% had Brugada's syndrome (65.1% male, age 33.6 ± 10.97 years) were included in analysis; 71 (61%) had ICD placed in (sub/supra) pectoral and 35 (33%) in subcostal position. Only seven patients received an epicardial lead system. During the follow-up period of 2.1 ± 1.8 years, 84.90% of the patients had no adverse events. Most of the complications, procedural and during follow-up, occur in conventionally placed, pectoral ICD. Lead follow-up data in both groups, conventional and subcostal, showed no difference in right ventricular (RV) shock impedance and R wave sensing, P-value = 0.56 and 0.77, respectively. Lead survival was 95 and 97%, respectively, in conventional and subcostal groups over a mean follow-up of 2.1 ± 1.8 years. Log-rank test for lead survival was not significant in terms of site of implantation.

CONCLUSION

To the best our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating subcostal ICD placement in young adults and resulting in equivalent to better outcomes when compared with conventionally placed pectoral ICD. Subcostal ICD placement might be considered an alternative option in young adults as it results in better procedural outcomes and also comparable rate of adverse events during follow-up, but bigger studies with a larger number of patients are needed for a definitive conclusion.

Influence of primary and secondary prevention indications on anxiety about the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Background

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have been established for primary and secondary prevention of fatal arrhythmias. However, little is known about the influence of ICD indications on quality of life (QOL) and psychological disturbances. This study aimed to examine whether there were differences in QOL and psychological distress in patients that have an ICD for primary or secondary prevention of fatal arrhythmias.

Methods

A multicenter survey of 179 consecutive outpatients (29.1% primary prevention) with ICD implantations completed the Short Form-8 (SF-8), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Worries about ICD (WAICD).

Results

Patients with an ICD for primary prevention had a higher trait anxiety score and worries about ICD score than patients with an ICD for secondary prevention (41.7±12.4 vs. 34.7±12.3, p=0.001 and 39.6±18.0 vs. 30.0±18.9, p=0.002, respectively), even after adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. In multivariable analysis of variance, primary prevention ICD recipients reported a poorer QOL on the vitality subscale of the SF-8.

Conclusions

In our study population, which mostly consisted of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I and II subjects, primary prevention ICD recipients were more prone to experience worries about their ICD, anxiety, and a poorer QOL compared to secondary prevention ICD recipients. In clinical practice, primary prevention ICD patients should be closely monitored. If warranted, they should be offered psychological intervention, as anxiety and low QOL were predictors of mortality.

Generator exchange in a primary prevention cardiac resynchronziation responder: do you reimplant a defibrillator?

This case-based review discusses the benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and whether defibrillation function is necessary in CRT responders. An evaluation of the literature and evidence to date is discussed. Recommendations based on these data, expert opinion, and recently published appropriate use criteria are given.

Sex Is Associated With Differences in Individual Trajectories of Change in Social Health After Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator

Background—

Social health is a dimension of quality of life, and refers to people’s involvement in, and satisfaction with social roles, responsibilities, and activities. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is associated with changes in overall quality of life, but little is known about sex differences in individual trajectories of change in social health.

Methods and Results—

We prospectively measured changes in 3 subscales of the SF-36v2 generic health questionnaire (role physical, role emotional, and social functioning), 2 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System short forms (satisfaction with participation in social roles and satisfaction with participation in discretionary social activities), and the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey before and at 1, 2, and 6 months after implantation. Individual growth models of temporal change were estimated. The scores of the 6 indicators improved with time. The unconditional model demonstrated significant (fixed effects: P <0.05; covariance parameters: P <0.10) residual variability in the individual trajectories. In the conditional model, men and women differed significantly in their rates of change in the scores of 3 of the 6 measures. Although men’s mean scores exceeded women’s mean scores on all indicators at baseline (range of relative mean difference: 11.0% to 17.8%), the rate of women’s change resulted in a reversal in relative standing at 6 months after implantation, with the mean scores of women exceeding the men’s by 4.5% to 5.6%.

Conclusions—

Men and women differed in their trajectories of change in social health, both in terms of their starting points (ie, baseline scores) and their rates of change.

Role of patient education in the perception and acceptance of home monitoring after recent implantation of cardioverter defibrillators: the EDUCAT study

BACKGROUND

Much attention is being paid to the education of and provision of medical information to patients, to optimize their understanding and acceptance of their disease.

AIMS

To ascertain the impact of educating recent recipients of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) on their perception and acceptance of a home monitoring (HM) system.

METHODS

Questionnaire 1, completed one month after ICD implantation, was designed to assess: the quality of patient preparation for HM; patient comprehension of HM; and patient anxiety experienced during its installation. The comprehension questions were assigned a score of -2 for an incorrect answer, +1 for a correct answer and 0 for neither (total score ranging from -40 to +20). Questionnaire 2, completed six months after ICD implantation, assessed patient acceptance of and anxiety about HM.

RESULTS

The registry included 571 patients (mean age 63.9±12.8 years; 83% men; 76% of ICDs implanted for primary prevention) followed by HM for 6.2±1.2 months. Questionnaire 1 was completed by 430 (75.3%) patients and questionnaire 2 by 398 (69.7%) patients. Younger patients had a better comprehension of HM than older patients. High-quality training conditions improved the comprehension score, and a positive association was observed between anxiety and acceptance levels and the comprehension score. The 80±20% mean data transmission rate (days of transmission/days of follow-up ratio) was unrelated to the comprehension scores.

CONCLUSION

A clear understanding was associated with a higher acceptance of HM, although it was unrelated to the data transmission rate.

Just sinus bradycardia or something more serious?

An asymptomatic 5-year-old girl presented with bradycardia during a routine well-child visit. Further evaluation revealed profound sinus bradycardia, exercise-induced bidirectional ventricular tachycardia, and supraventricular tachycardia. An echocardiogram showed heavy trabeculations in the left ventricular myocardium. This patient's presentation suggested catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and left ventricular noncompaction. Genetic testing revealed mutations in the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2), calsequestron (CASQ2), and titin (TTN). She was effectively treated with beta-blockade to suppress tachyarrhythmias and pacemaker implantation to treat her bradycardia.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks are prospective predictors of anxiety

OBJECTIVES

To examine the temporal contingency of anxiety and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy (anti-tachycardia-pacing and shocks to prevent ventricular tachycardia and/or fibrillation).

BACKGROUND

It is under debate whether anxiety is a precursor and/or consequence of ICD-therapy.

METHODS

In a prospective longitudinal study, fifty-four patients undergoing first-time ICD-implantation were assessed for anxiety, frequency of ICD-shocks and anti-tachycardia-pacing up to two days before ICD-implantation (T0) and twelve months later (T1).

RESULTS

Anxiety at T0 did not predict frequency of ICD-shocks at T1, but ICD-shocks significantly predicted increased anxiety at T1. In contrast, anxiety at T0 and T1 was unrelated to frequency of anti-tachycardia-pacing. Effects remained stable when we controlled for potentially confounding variables (e.g. age, sex, cardiac health and depression at T0).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that repeated ICD-shocks are a cause of anxiety in ICD-patients rather than a consequence, thus shock frequency should be minimized.

Design and methods for a pilot study of a phone-delivered, mindfulness-based intervention in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Background. Meditation practices are associated with a reduction in adrenergic activity that may benefit patients with severe cardiac arrhythmias. This paper describes the design and methods of a pilot study testing the feasibility of a phone-delivered mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for treatment of anxiety in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Design and Methods. Consecutive, clinically stable outpatients (n = 52) will be screened for study eligibility within a month of an ICD-related procedure or ICD shock and will be randomly assigned to MBI or to usual care. MBI patients will receive eight weekly individual phone sessions based on two mindfulness practices (awareness of breath and body scan) plus home practice with a CD for 20 minutes daily. Patients assigned to usual care will be offered the standard care planned by the hospital. Assessments will occur at baseline and at the completion of the intervention (between 9 and 12 weeks after randomization). The primary study outcome is feasibility; secondary outcomes include anxiety, mindfulness, and number of administered shocks during the intervention period. Conclusions. If proven feasible and effective, phone-delivered mindfulness-based interventions could improve psychological distress in ICD outpatients with serious cardiovascular conditions.

The prevalence of anxiety and depression in adults with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is used to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and in the prevention of sudden cardiac death. A significant proportion of ICD patients experience psychological symptoms including anxiety, depression or both, which in turn can impact adjustment to the device. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression or symptoms of anxiety and depression among adults with ICDs.

METHODS

Search of MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, PsycINFO®, EMBASE® and Cochrane® for English-language articles published through 2009 that used validated diagnostic interviews to diagnose anxiety or depression or self-report questionnaires to assess symptoms of anxiety or depression in adults with an ICD.

RESULTS

Forty-five studies that assessed over 5000 patients were included. Between 11% and 28% of patients had a depressive disorder and 11-26% had an anxiety disorder in 3 small studies (Ns=35-90) that used validated diagnostic interviews. Rates of elevated symptoms of anxiety (8-63%) and depression (5-41%) based on self-report questionnaires ranged widely across studies and times of assessment. Evidence was inconsistent on rates pre- versus post-implantation, rates over time, rates for primary versus secondary prevention, and for shocked versus non-shocked patients.

CONCLUSION

Larger studies utilizing structured interviews are needed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among ICD patients and factors that may influence rates of anxiety and depressive disorders. Based on existing data, it may be appropriate to assume a 20% prevalence rate for both depressive and anxiety disorders post-ICD implant, a rate similar to that in other cardiac populations.

Adverse experiences with implantable defibrillators in Oregon hospices

BACKGROUND

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) improve survival in patients at risk for recurrent, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Unless deactivated, ICDs may deliver unwanted shocks to terminally ill patients near the time of death. This study sought to determine the frequency and nature of adverse experiences with ICDs in hospice programs and what preventative measures the programs had taken.

METHOD

A mailed survey to all 50 Oregon Hospice Programs in August 2008.

RESULTS

42 (84%) of 50 programs participated. In all 36 (86%) of 42 programs reported having taken care of a patient with an ICD in the preceding 4 years. The average number of patients with ICDs per program increased from 2.2 (SD 2.5) in 2005 and 2006 to 3.6 (SD 3.7) in 2007 and 2008. Of the 36 programs who had cared for a patient with an ICD, 31 (86%) reported having some kind of adverse experience. These ranged from unwanted shocks delivered (64%), patient/family distress related to the decision to deactivate the ICD (47%), and time delay in ICD deactivation (42%). Only 16 (38%) programs had policies for managing ICDs and only 19 (43%) routinely screened new patients for ICDs.

DISCUSSION

As patients near the end of their lives, receiving defibrillating shocks may no longer be consistent with their goals of care. Based on the high frequencies of potentially preventable adverse outcomes documented by this study, we propose that hospices routinely screen patients for ICDs and proactively adopt policies to manage them, rather than in response to an adverse event.

Reduction in the intensity rate of appropriate shocks for ventricular arrhythmias with statin therapy

Higher rate of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks has been associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The aim of our study was to determine whether statins reduced the intensity rate of appropriate shock therapy for ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation in patients with an ICD placed for left ventricular systolic dysfunction. In this retrospective single center analysis, patients with an ejection fraction <or=35% who underwent ICD implantation were divided into treatment and control groups based on statin use. A zero-inflated negative binomial model was used to compare the intensity rate of appropriate ICD shocks between the 2 groups. Characteristics associated with shock-free follow-up were assessed using a stepwise logistic regression model. We found 699 patients eligible for inclusion, with 412 (59%) in the statin treatment group. The adjusted mean intensity rate of shocks was lower in patients on statin therapy (intensity rate ratio = 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.41; P < 0.001). Statin use was associated with a significantly higher probability of shock-free follow-up (odds ratio = 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-2.48; P = 0.019). In conclusion, statins reduced the intensity rate of appropriate shock therapy for ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation and increased probability of shock-free follow-up in patients with cardiomyopathy. Larger randomized trials are needed to confirm this relationship.

Examination of the effect of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators on health-related quality of life: based on results from the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Trial-II

While implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) improve survival, their benefit in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is negligible. To examine how shocks and congestive heart failure (CHF) mediate the effect of ICDs on HRQOL. The US patients from the MADIT-II (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Trial-II) trial (n = 983) were randomized to receive an ICD or medical treatment only. HRQOL was assessed using the Health Utility Index 3 at baseline and 3, 12, 24, and 36 months following randomization. Logistic regressions were used to test for the effect of ICDs on the CHF indicator, and linear regressions were used to examine the effect of ICD shocks and CHF on HRQOL in living patients. We used a Monte Carlo simulation and a parametric Weibull distribution survival model to test for the effect of selective attrition. Observations were clustered by patients and robust standard errors (RSEs) were used to control for the non-independence of multiple observations provided by the same patient. Patients in the ICD arm had 41% higher odds of experiencing CHF since their last assessment compared with those in the control arm (RSE = 0.19, p = 0.01). Developing CHF reduced HRQOL at the subsequent visit by 0.07 (p < 0.01). Having ICD shocks reduced overall HRQOL by 0.04 (p = 0.04) at the subsequent assessment. The negative effect of ICD firing on HRQOL was an order of magnitude greater than the effect of CHF. A higher prevalence of CHF and shocks among patients with ICDs and their negative effect on HRQOL may partially explain the lack of HRQOL benefit of ICD therapy.

Current status of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in heart failure

Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in patients with heart failure (HF). The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the only evidence-based treatment strategy for patients who have survived a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmic event. Randomized clinical trials have shown that specific subsets of HF patients with ischemic and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy benefit from ICD therapy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac resynchronization therapy has become the device-based therapy of choice for improving symptoms and survival in severe HF patients with evidence of ventricular dyssynchrony. This review summarizes the current status of ICD therapy in treating HF patients based on randomized clinical trials and current practice guidelines.

Patient expectations from implantable defibrillators to prevent death in heart failure

BACKGROUND

Indications for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in heart failure (HF) are expanding and may include more than 1 million patients. This study examined patient expectations from ICDs for primary prevention of sudden death in HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Study participants (n = 105) had an EF <35% and symptomatic HF, without history of ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation or syncope. Subjects completed a written survey about perceived ICD benefits, survival expectations, and circumstances under which they might deactivate defibrillation. Mean age was 58, LVEF 21%, 40% were New York Heart Association Class III-IV, and 65% already had a primary prevention ICD. Most patients anticipated more than10 years survival despite symptomatic HF. Nearly 54% expected an ICD to save >or=50 lives per 100 during 5 years. ICD recipients expressed more confidence that the device would save their own lives compared with those without an ICD (P < .001). Despite understanding the ease of deactivation, 70% of ICD recipients indicated they would keep the ICD on even if dying of cancer, 55% even if having daily shocks, and none would inactivate defibrillation even if suffering constant dyspnea at rest.

CONCLUSIONS

HF patients anticipate long survival, overestimate survival benefits conferred by ICDs, and express reluctance to deactivate their devices even for end-stage disease.

A comparison of anxiety, depression and quality of life between device shock and nonshock groups in implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients

BACKGROUND

Using standardized scales, we assessed the point prevalence, the severity of anxiety and depressive disorders, and the quality of life (QOL) in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients who received a device shock.

METHODS

Forty research subjects with device shocks (Group 1) and 25 without shocks (Group 2) were interviewed after ICD implantation using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

RESULTS

The point prevalence of anxiety disorders was higher in Group 1 (37.5%) than in Group 2 (8%) (P=.009). Depressive symptoms scores were higher in Group 1 (4.75) than in Group 2 (2.24) (P=.04)), but the prevalence of depressive disorders or the anxiety scores were not significantly different. A positive correlation was found between the number of shocks and the depressive symptoms scores (P=.05, r=0.24); there was a negative correlation between the mental health subscore of the SF-36 and the number of shocks (r=-0.36, P=.003). The point prevalence of depressive disorders was higher in the group with congenital cardiac diseases (50%) than in the valvular (8%) and ischemic groups (23%) (P=.04), and the mental health composite summary score of the SF-36 was lower in this group (46.34) than in those with valvular and ischemic disease (56.09 and 52.61, respectively) (P=.03).

CONCLUSION

Exposure to shocks may lead to an increased risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Research subjects receiving a high number of shocks and research subjects with congenital cardiovascular diseases were at higher risk of depressive symptoms or at higher risk of poorer psychological aspects of QOL.

Depression and anxiety symptoms are associated with reduced dietary adherence in heart failure patients treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) patients treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are a growing patient population for whom the general treatment guidelines for HF still apply. Dietary recommendations, sodium and fluid restriction and daily weight monitoring, are a critical component of HF self-management. However, HF patients often report poor adherence to these recommendations. Studies that have investigated factors associated with poor diet adherence have focused on knowledge and beliefs. The current study extends previous research by examining the impact of psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety, and social support) on adherence to dietary recommendations in this growing subgroup of HF patients.

METHODS

Eighty-eight HF patients, with a mean age of 70 years, treated with an ICD (77% male) completed questionnaires assessing depression and anxiety symptoms, social support, and dietary adherence.

RESULTS

Most patients reported following dietary recommendations in the past week most of the time (63%), whereas only 16% of patients reported following dietary recommendations all of the time. Greater depression and anxiety symptoms were associated with poorer dietary adherence, whereas social support did not predict reported dietary adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that many HF patients treated with an ICD do not comply with dietary recommendations. Depression and anxiety symptoms were found to be associated with worse dietary adherence, whereas social support was not related to adherence. Further research is needed to understand the role of social support in dietary adherence in HF patients.

Primary prevention with the ICD in clinical practice: not as straightforward as the guidelines suggest?

At first sight, guidelines for implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction seem unambiguous. There are clear cut-off values for ejection fraction, and functional class. However, determination of the ejection fraction itself is not unambiguous, and other risk factors for sudden death that may have a profound effect on risk are not used for decision-making. Furthermore, to obtain a clinically significant impact on survival, expected longevity is important as it can greatly compromise the benefit in elderly patients but underestimate the long-term potential of ICD therapy in younger patients. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:107-10.).

Cost-benefit analysis of primary prevention of sudden cardiac death with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator versus amiodarone in Canada

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials have shown that implantable cardioverter defibrillators are effective in primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with high risk profiles.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a cost-benefit assessment of prevention of sudden cardiac death with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) vs. amiodarone from the Canadian health-care system perspective.

METHODS

A simulation model that estimates the patient's course following an implantation with an ICD or initiation of amiodarone treatment was created. A thousand pairs of patients with identical characteristics in each treatment group, with similar demographic profiles as observed in the Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT) were simulated. Based on the simulated individual patient characteristics, the model estimated the timing of severe arrhythmic events and deaths due to other causes and implemented the consequences at the time of the events. Patients might die at the time of severe arrhythmia (sudden cardiac death) or survive and become secondary prevention cases and be exposed to a higher risk of severe arrhythmia for the following 6 months. The rates of arrhythmia and death due to other causes were assumed to be the same, whereas the cases of fatality from severe arrhythmia differed between treatments. During the course of the simulation, the clinical (i.e., deaths) and economic outcomes were tallied for both treatment groups. All model parameters were obtained from the literature. The primary data source for clinical inputs was the published results of the SCD-HeFT trial which investigated the impact of ICDs on patients' survival in primary prevention of sudden cardiac deaths compared to amiodarone and conventional therapy. The value of a statistical life (CND$ 5.8 million) was obtained from an analysis previously performed by Health Canada. The direct medical costs and monetary value of lives saved were estimated over 5 years. Sensitivity analyses on key parameters were carried out. The most important study limitation was using two different sources to derive the age dependent clinical risks. This issue was resolved by calibrating the derived risks to account for the population differences.

RESULTS

The model predicted that the overall mortality would be reduced by 19.1% (7.1% absolute reduction) with ICD compared to amiodarone over 5 years. The incremental benefit with ICD was estimated at CND$526,700 and additional cost at CND$28,300, which translated into a 0.05 cost: benefit ratio--around 1: 20 return of investment.

CONCLUSION

In Canada, ICDs are a worthwhile alternative to amiodarone in the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Changes in psychosocial distress in outpatients with heart failure with implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Patients given implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) after arrhythmic events or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) experience psychosocial distress. ICDs now are inserted for the primary prevention of SCA in patients with heart failure; the psychosocial impact of ICDs on patients with heart failure is unknown. Changes in psychosocial status in these ICD recipients were examined. ICD recipients (n = 57) completed depression, anxiety, and social support inventories every 6 months for up to 2 years. Initially, 35% of recipients were depressed and 45% of recipients were anxious. In linear mixed models, depression decreased over time overall but increased in those who experienced ICD shocks. Anxiety decreased in New York Heart Association class III ICD recipients but not in class II ICD recipients. Decreases in social support were related to age: the younger the patient the greater the decrease. A significant proportion of ICD recipients were depressed or anxious, or had diminished social support even after 2 years. Investigation of strategies to improve ICD recipients' psychosocial status is warranted.

Considerations to implement holistic groups with the elderly

The group modality is a viable holistic treatment consideration for the elderly, given the steady increase in the elderly population, the presence of various psychiatric and/or medical conditions in this cohort, and cost concerns. The holistic nurse and group leader share similar role definitions of being a facilitator in the healing process. They embrace the concept that the person and group are greater than the sum of the parts. Using a group modality can increase the number of people served by one nurse, thereby making it cost-effective. Incorporating the holistic mind-body-spirit approach addresses the Healthy People 2010 goal of increasing the quality of life. Tips on conducting groups with the elderly are reviewed, including types of groups, setting, goals, composition, duration, and frequency. Theme-centered groups are discussed from a holistic perspective. Yalom's 11 therapeutic factors that account for group functions are explained, along with other group concepts that reflect holistic nursing concepts.

Phantom shocks in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Phantom shock is the sensation of shock in the absence of an actual implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) discharge. The ICD is now the first-line therapy for patients with ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. There has been a significant increase in the number of patients with an ICD and patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) after a shock for evaluation and device interrogation. Phantom shock is more likely to be nocturnal in the first 6 months after implantation, and patients are more likely to be clinically depressed and have higher levels of anxiety. There is no specific treatment. We report 3 patients who presented to the ED with the sensation of ICD discharges, however, on device interrogation had no shocks and no dysrhythmias.

An updated review of implantable cardioverter/defibrillators, induced anxiety, and quality of life

During the past 2 years the number of studies examining psychopathology and quality of life after ICD implantation has increased dramatically. Variables assessed have included recipient age, gender, and social support network. How recipients respond to having the device, particularly after experiencing firing, has been evaluated in light of new depression and anxiety disorder diagnoses as well as premorbid personality structure. Now the picture of what is known is, if anything, cloudier than it was 2 years ago, with little definitive and much contradictory data emerging in most of these categories. It still seems clear that in a significant minority of ICD recipients the device negatively affects quality of life, probably more so if it fires. Education about life with the device before receiving it remains paramount. Reports continue to appear of patients developing new-onset diagnosable anxiety disorders such as panic and posttraumatic stress disorder. Until recently the strongest predictors of induced psychopathology were considered to be the frequency and recency of device firing. It now seems that preimplantation psychologic variables such as degree of optimism or pessimism and an anxious personality style may confer an even greater risk than previously thought. Certainly many variables factor into the induction of psychopathology in these patients. Among these factors are age, gender, and perception of control of shocks, as well as the predictability of shocks and psychologic attributions made by the patient regarding the device. Another source of variability is this population's medical heterogeneity. Some patients receive ICDs after near-death experiences; others get them as anticipatory prophylaxis. Some have longstanding and entrenched heart disease; others were apparently healthy before sudden dangerous arrhythmias. Diagnoses as diverse as myocardial infarction in the context of advanced coronary artery disease and dilated cardiomyopathy after acute viral infection may warrant ICD placement. Moreover the course of cardiac disease after ICD placement may vary from relative stability to continuing disease progression and severe functional compromise. Unless these and other pre- and postimplantation differences are taken into account, it is almost impossible to make meaningful comparisons between studies. Ideally, future research would consist either of large-scale, randomized, prospective studies using validated structured-interview tools to supplement a literature dominated by self-report measures, unstructured assessments, and anecdotal reports, or of smaller studies designed to focus on particular diagnostic subsets. As ICDs become the standard of care for potentially life-threatening arrhythmias, the rate of implantations continues to increase. Because negative emotions have been linked to an increased incidence of arrhythmias, and untreated or unrecognized psychiatric illness can interfere with adaptation to an ICD, assessing and managing both pre-existing and induced psychiatric disorders becomes even more critical. Greater research attention should be paid to determining which patients meet criteria for anxiety disorders before and after implantation and what premorbid traits predispose to postimplantation psychopathology. The authors predict that psychiatrists will be involved increasingly in caring for this population, offering insights into treatment options that increase the likelihood of successful ICD acceptance and decrease the psychosocial costs of these devices.

Health-Related Quality of Life Consequences of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

BACKGROUND

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) improve survival and extend lives of patients with severe heart disease.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the impact of ICDs on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during the first 3 years after implantation.

SUBJECTS

A total of 1089 patients from the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II (MADIT II) were randomized to an ICD or medical treatment only.

MEASURES

Health Utility Index (HUI3) at baseline, 3, 12, 24, and 36 months following randomization; survival data.

RESEARCH DESIGN

We constructed mean profiles of HRQOL for living patients, estimated overall quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), separately by treatment arm, and calculated cumulative QALY gains/losses as the difference between the areas under the treatment specific HRQOL profiles. Multivariate fixed effect regression models were developed to impute the missing HRQOL data using baseline patient characteristics (age, gender, treatment, HUI3 score, diabetes, diuretics use, and NYHA class). Bootstrapped standard errors were calculated for the estimated differences in HRQOL gains/losses between treatment arms. Similarly, we performed subgroup analyses (by gender, age, and baseline NYHA class, blood urine nitrogen, ejection fraction, and QRS).

RESULTS

There were no differences in QALYs loss for living patients by treatment group (-0.037, P = 0.64) or in overall QALYs loss by treatment group (0.043, P = 0.37) over 3 years. In subgroup analysis, female subjects demonstrated a trend towards greater survival benefit (0.298, P = 0.07) and overall QALYs (0.261, P = 0.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Adverse effects of the ICD on HRQOL together with lower HRQOL among survivors may offset the 3-year survival benefits of ICDs.